OT:MS - Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Academic Progression Requirements

The student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in required OT graduate courses with a minimum of a "C+" (77%) or better in all required OT courses.

If a student earns less than a C+ in any course, the course must be repeated and earn a grade of “B” or better. If this course is a pre-requisite for another course, the student will not be allowed to continue enrollment. Only one course repeat in the program will be allowed. Therefore, a student who earns a grade below a C+ in more than one course will be dismissed from the OT program.

Students may not have a cumulative GPA below 3.0 in the OT didactic courses for more than two semesters (this encompasses semesters one through four). If the cumulative GPA for required coursework is below 3.0 for a third semester, the student will be dismissed from the program.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to enroll in semesters five and six (OTH5845 and OTH5846 fieldwork courses).

NOTE: The programs, policies, requirements, and regulations listed in this catalog are continually reviewed in order to serve the needs of the University’s and College’s various policies and to respond to the mandates of the Florida Department of Education, Board of Governors, the Legislature, and other regulatory and accrediting agencies. Changes may be made without advance notice. Please refer to the Policies and Processes tab in this University Catalog for the University’s policies, requirements, and regulations. Please refer to https://cnhs.fiu.edu/academics/occupational-therapy/index.html for latest information on the OT program, policies, and procedures.

Admissions Requirements for the Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy (OT)

Admission to the Professional Master of Science in Occupational Therapy is highly competitive. Successful candidates are admitted for the fall semester of each academic year. The department selects students based on their record of academic excellence, outstanding personal qualities and achievements.

To be considered for admission to the Professional Master's degree program students must:

(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

(2) Have a minimum of 3.0 GPA average based on a 4.0 scale in upper division courses of the bachelor’s degree.

(3) Complete the following prerequisite courses prior to the start of the fall admission term with a minimum grade of “C”: a). Abnormal Psychology; b) Human Growth & Development; c) Biology with Lab; d) Statistics; and e) Medical Terminology. Required cumulative GPA for all prerequisite courses is 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

(4) A grade of “B” or above must be earned in the following three courses: a) Anatomy and Anatomy Lab; b) Physiology; and c) Neuroscience. Applicants with at least two of the three courses completed by the application deadline will be given priority for review and potential admission.

(5) Complete the OTCAS application. Provide 3 letters of reference, a personal essay of professional and educational goals, work experience, activities, accomplishments and recognitions. These documents are submitted directly with your application. Admission is competitive and meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee admission into the program.

(6) Meet admissions requirements of the OT department, FIU’s Admission Office and pay the FIU Admissions Office application fee.

(7) International students must have a bachelor's degree equivalent of a US baccalaureate degree from an institution recognized in their own country as preparing students for graduate level study. International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum required scores is 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or 6.5 overall on the IELTS.

(8) A departmental interview is required.

All incoming students are required to be competent users of online educational technology. These competencies include the ability to access, navigate, and interact within a Learning Management System. Other technology competencies include, but are not limited to, the ability to communicate (i.e., sending/receiving email), work productively (access, complete, and submit assignments and take exams), engage in research/scholarly activities and course presentation requirements. Students must be able to meet performance standards with or without reasonable accommodations. Performance standards are consistent with those required of entry-level occupational therapists and can be accessed on our website.

Prerequisites for the Professional MS degree

(1) Biology and lab (4 credits)

(2) Human Physiology (3 credits) or Anatomy/Physiology I and II with labs (students who have completed Anatomy/Physiology I and II with labs have met the prerequisites for Anatomy and Physiology) (8 credits)

(3) Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)

(4) Human Growth and Development (3 credits)

(5) Statistics (3 credits)

(6) Human Anatomy with lab1 (4 credits)

(7) Medical Terminology (1-3 credits)

(8) Neuroscience (3 credits)

Human Anatomy with lab 1 and Neuroscience from the list above must be numbered 3000 or above.

Additional Degree Requirements

Good Standing: To achieve and maintain a classification of good standing, the student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the courses required for the OT degree. The OT Program consists of 67 graduate credits. Full time enrollment is required. Students will complete six semesters in the program.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation the student must:

(1) Meet all University Graduate School requirements for graduation.

(2) Satisfactorily complete all didactic and fieldwork requirements within OT degree program guidelines.

(3) Have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0.

There are no majors associated with this program.

There are no track, specialization, concentration, area of emphasis, or other curricular offerings associated with this program.

Background Checks and Drug Screenings

All admitted and incoming students, as part of the admission process, must comply with the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences [NWCNHS] policy for health and immunization screening and background check.

The health and immunization screening includes the following requirements:

(1) Immunization and /or titers of:

--Varicella, Rubeola and Rubella, Mumps or MMR vaccine

--Tetanus Toxoid booster; diphtheria; pertussis, or ADACEL vaccine

--Hepatitis B Vaccine (3 doses)

--PPD- 2 step-if 1st time taker

(2) Medical history and Physical Exam

(3) CPR/BLS – for health care providers from AHA

(4) Proof of major medical health insurance coverage

(5) 7 year employment verification

(6) Pass a drug screening

Florida International University- NWCNHS utilizes Complio as the background clearing house, and for tracking student immunization records.

The background check includes social security number search (residency history, state and year SSN issued), criminal search (7 years), sex offender search, federal criminal search, and healthcare exclusion list.